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Balance Gym
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Active Life Fitness & Instruction Trainers Gyms, Trainers [Edit]
2200 California St NW(between N 23rd St & N Phelps Pl)
Washington, DC 20008
Neighborhood: Kalorama
(202) 797-0021
- Nearest Transit:
-
Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 10 pm
Sat 8 am - 7 pm
Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
Christine T. said: "This is a review of the spa only. I got a great deal on a massage and 1 week gym pass from one of those flash sale websites. My masseuse was Emily, now normally I get massages from guys because they have a firmer touch but don't just…" read more »
5 reviews for Balance Gym
5 reviews in English
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Review from Dagny T.
Washington, DC
10/13/2010
I've been friends with the owners and trainers for about a year. so I've known about their gyms for quite some time.
I've checked out so many gyms in the area, it's ridiculous. I couldn't find one that I liked and was convenient to me at the same time. I was a member of Results Cap Hill for about a year when I lived in Eastern Market, and then SCLA for a few months. I've been to a bunch of WSC and Gold's gyms... Balance Kalorama is my favorite. It's unlike any other gym I've been to. Basically, it's one big basketball/volleyball court with a few rooms attached to it. One's a yoga room, and the other room has the free weights and other equipment.
To give you an idea why I like this gym, I guess I need to explain what I like and dislike. First, I'm no gym rat. I'm not a big fan of aerobics classes. I think they're pretty retarded.. I tolerate the stairmaster for about 10 minutes, and I can work on an elliptical for about 20 minutes, but I find them soo boring. I don't really like weight machines either. I'm ADD. Basically, I'd rather be playing tennis, riding horses, rock climbing, sailing, practicing yoga, etc rather than sitting in a gym.
I started training with Mike M, and he's absolutely amazing. I've worked with trainers before, but Mike has been the only one that's kept me engaged. And the workouts are really hard but they ARE FUN. I can't say that about any workout I've had with other trainers. He has me lifting weights and playing with sand bags, kettle bells, flipping tires, doing pushups, etc. (Balance also has rings and a climbing rope but I haven't played with them yet). I always leave a workout feeling exhausted and happy.
It's only been a few weeks, and I already feel a lot stronger. I ran a mile and a half in less than 12 minutes recently (yeah I know this isn't a big deal for any athlete, but running was always torture to me)... and I can hold arm balances and head stands in my yoga classes longer. I've also become more aware of how I move, my posture, etc day-to-day and in yoga. I pepper Mike with questions all the time.. what I should do with my shin splints, how I should exercise on the days that I don't see him, etc.
As for the other trainers, they're all awesome. They're all very nice and very knowledgeable.
So in summary. Join Balance and/or train with Mike. It'll be the best money you'll ever spend. -
Review from Miriam W.
11/28/2007
I don't know about you but when I get my hair cut, I like to check out the coif on my stylist. If said coif looks poodle-esque or exudes any other unsavory qualities, I try to make a mad dash out from under those scissors. So I suppose it goes without saying that hiring a personal trainer means checking out her/his overall fitness, right?
Even though my first meeting with the man that would become my trainer was over beers and nachos, one thing was clear - Jim was fit. Not like "I eat light lunches, that's how I keep my girlish figure" but rather "You REALLY could bench press me and five of my friends with one arm and not get sweaty, couldn't you?"
But if you're next thought was, "I don't just want to hire some meathead who's sportin' a six pack" then your mind likely operates similarly to mine. You will then be glad to know that Jim's not only living by the principles he espouses, he's also extremely well-read and knowledgeable about his craft. He's constantly furthering his education and knows a ton about nutrition (though isn't preachy), exercise, weight lifting and the human body generally. Moreover, he's passionate about his work, which is something I really appreciate.
I originally approached Jim about personal training to improve my performance for an upcoming surfing trip in Costa Rica. Surfing requires you to be conditioned and strong; Jim helped me get there. Every time I stood up on the board (and also when I swallowed gallons of sea water) I smiled to myself, glad I had worked with Jim prior to the trip sensing that what we'd done really had been great preparation.
If you're looking for a personal trainer who will listen to your goals and help you work toward them in a really effective manner, Jim's your guy! He provides thorough explanation and instruction for every exercise while at the same time being very motivating. Every single time I leave the gym after a workout with Jim, I feel accomplished and glad I went. I can't recommend him highly enough!
As for Balance Gym, I love the no nonsense feel of the place. Everyone's there to get it done, yet the atmosphere is still very friendly and jovial.Listed in: Perfect day in Washington,…
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Review from Thomas F.
Washington, DC
1/28/2009
This place is amazing. I'm a skinny boy and always have been, which often makes me shy away from gyms. Too many hulking guys who I'm sure will beat me up. And gyms too often are "scenes." This place is completely different. The trainers are amazing and supportive. The exercises range from sprints, carrying 35-pound sandbags above your head while you run up a hill, running ladders for agility, doing free weights in ways you didn't think you could, etc. Graham and Mark, who are the owners, are on the floor doing great training sessions. Jim is a fantastic strength trainer who meticulously shows you how to lift things right. And the Saturday boot camps will kick your ass.
When I went to the gym, I started training with A.C. He's fantastic. He never let me get soft. He'd push me hard and showed me about one million different ways to work out that I hadn't imagined before. Even when he broke his foot, AC was still there hopping me around, adjusting my technique, throwing medicine balls at me, etc. I got in shape so fast when I was working out with AC.
The best part of it all is that they conceive of fitness and athleticism as something we should all be striving for. So if you're 65 and looking to stay in shape, training for marathon, or 20 and looking to improve the velocity on your fastball, you'll love this place. It isn't about ego. It's about sweat.
This is the best gym I've ever worked out at. Period. That said, I kind of hope it stays a well-kept secret! -
Review from Ana C.
Rockville, MD
2/10/2009
My husband and I spent the last couple of months working out at Balance Gym in order to get in shape for our January 2009 wedding. We go to strength classes with Jim Bathurst twice a week (He's amazing!!!) and we're starting boot camp soon (went to one session with Meghan, she's also great).
Additionally, we also took personal training classes with Jim. This was the BEST investment we've ever made. We both feel a lot stronger, healthier, and motivated to keep working out.
A note about personal training- it's expensive. Therefore, my hubby and I didn't just choose balance gym randomly, we definitely did our research. Before choosing personal training classes, I had gone to some of the more mainstream DC gyms to see what their trainers were like. I took one personal training class at one of those gyms and it was all cardio. The trainer told me what exercises to do on which cardio machine and he just watched me do it, which was pretty lame. I could have taught myself that and saved my $.
At Balance Gym, the personal trainers make sure you do a variety of different exercises and really stress the importance of strength training. Also, they don't just "watch you" do stuff you can teach yourself how to do. Jim, the trainer we're working with, taught me that girls can lift heavy weights and how doing this changes our body composition drastically. Ladies, if you want to lose cellulite, strength training is the only way to do it! Also, Jim keeps an amazing record of your progress and knows exactly how much he can push you. He also sends helpful recipes and makes us keep a food log online so we don't eat crap. My husband has changed his eating habits a lot since we started training with Jim.
Initially, my husband and I didn't think we'd keep working out so much after the wedding. After working with the trainers at Balance, we actually LOVE to work out and will continue going to the various classes they offer.
The only negative thing I'd have to say about Balance is that parking near the gym is hard to find. However, we live in Rockville and don't mind going to Balance because of the quality of the classes and trainers. It's totally worth it! -
Review from Steph L.
12/7/2008 1 Check-in Here
CrossFit DC holds its classes at Balance 3 times a week. CrossFit does wonders for one's fitness and Balance provides all the equipment that we require such as pull-up racks, gymnastic rings, lots of kettle bells, barbells and dumbbells, jump ropes, ab mats, and a basketball court for when we do torturous floor workouts.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
Specialties
Balance Gym specializes in athletic, sports, and functional training. We also offer basketball (leagues and drop-in) and gay-friendly volleyball leagues.
Our gym caters to those individuals who have graduated from the health club trend and want to experience the next level of fitness. We're not flash, we're substance.
We're different from other gyms both in our training style and equipment. Where typical corporate gyms offer the latest in machines and flat screen TVs, we focus on instruction.
Balance offers personal training in one-on-one settings and with small groups. Also, the Balance offers its signature classes - a 6-day/week format that incorporates running, strength, metabolic conditioning, flexibility, core, and sports to change your body and improve your performance.
History
Established in 2004
Balance Gym began as Balance Integrated Training Concepts in 2004 and was founded by Graham King and Mark Crick. At that time Graham was a personal trainer at WSC and Mark had finished his professional rugby career in Australia - both were looking to create a new concept in fitness. Initially, Balance offered boot camps in Kalorama Park and Walter Pierce Park. In 2005 Balance moved to its current location in Kalorama/Dupont.
Meet the Business Owner: Balance Gym G.
Graham King, Washington's leading functional training expert, combines the expertise, knowledge, and enthusiasm to create training programs that not only produce results and but also are fun. Graham has trained a broad range of clients both in age and ability helping them improve their mobility, strength, and performance.
Mark Crick believes everyone can train like an athlete to achieve results regardless of age or current physique. To excel as an athlete you need to develop lean muscle that is able to function with natural movement. Mark helps his clients not only achieve their desired goals, but also provides them with a level of functional fitness and confidence. Mark executes achieving client goals with a precise combination of strength training, cardiovascular exercise, repeated bouts of high intensity activity, and flexibility and mobility training.
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